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I live in Alhaurin el Grande campo where we have a largeish patch of land. We no longer farm this land and have let the remaining pear and mandarin trees go the way of all flesh. Since we stopped spraying (and irrigating) we have noticed an increase in birds and other wildlife. Now I am nervous to rotavate this land again to keep it in some form of orderliness and to reduce the risk of fire, for fear of destroying habitat. Ground is now dry rough and grassy. The local shepherd brings sheep onto the land regularly which keeps it cropped (approx. once every eight weeks) Ideally I'd like to remove the now skeleton trees and replace with trees that will attract lots of lovely birds. Would any members have advice on best time of year to rotavate (if at all) and which bird friendly trees to plant?Birds I've identified so far are crested larks, sardinian warblers, bee eaters, a common buzzard or a booted eagle (not sure which but he's always on his own!), little owl, red rumped swallowsThanks in advance!

THERE ARE LOTS OF TREES AND SHRUBS YOU CAN PLANT TO ATTRACT BIRDS. THE PISTACIA AND TURPENTINE SHRUBS ARE LOVED BY THE BIRDS, ALSO KAKIS. HAVE A LOOK IN YOUR AREA TO SEE WHAT GROWS WELL. BUDDLEJAS DO WELL HERE AND ARE LOVED BY BUTTERFLIES, ALSO CISTUS, THE ROCKROSES. WHEN I GET HOME I WILL ANSWER IN MORE DEPTH AS I WILL HAVE ACCESS TO MY BOOKS AND BLOG.

OF COURSE THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU CAN DO TO ATTRACT BIRDS AND WILDLIFE IS A SMALL, SHSLLOW POND. IT COULD BE A PLANT POT HOLDER OR YOU COULD MAKE ONE OUT OF CONCRETE. ONCE YOU MAKE IT YOU HAVE TO KEEP IT FULL OF WATER ALL YEAR. ADD A COUPLE OF STONES TO LET THE SMALLER BIRDS STAND ABOVE THE WATER.

AS FOR ROTOVATING, I WOULD DO IT IN JUNE WHEN ALL THE WILDFLOWERS ARE FINISHED.